Popular Armed Forces Day in Burton is refused MoD funding for being held a week too early

ORGANISERS planning to mark Armed Forces Day with a big community event have been refused funding unless they change their date.

The MoD said it can only fund events that are held within a week either side of Armed Forces Day on Saturday June 28 and that rules out Burton Parish Council’s commemorative event which will be held on the village green on Sunday, June 15.

The decision has been labelled “bureaucracy gone mad,” by parish council chair Judy Jamieson. She said their popular event, which is held every year and attracts around 1,000 people, meets all of the MoD’s criteria except for the fact it is being held one week too early.

“My reaction was major disappointment and astonishment at the inflexibility of the MoD and the apparent intransigency of the bureaucracy especially when we’re ticking all the boxes that they highlight on their application form,” she said.

“This particular fund was signposted to me by Dorset County Council and it’s clear we meet their criteria of bringing together the civilian and forces population and involving all sections of the community.

“I just think it’s bureaucracy gone mad.”

She said they would not be changing for date of their event, as they felt that holding it on Father’s Day was apt and would ensure a good turnout.

They had applied for £4,900, which would have funded the pipe marching band, advertising banners, bus service, PA system, bunting and flags, staging, seating and the printing of programmes and flyers.

In an email to Mrs Jamieson, Wing Commander Tracey Broome of the ceremonial events and commemoration team, said: “The funding policy was carefully considered in direct response to the central government initiative for the nation to host Armed Forces Day events in 2009 and the remit remains extant.

“We fully understand your disappointment but I feel sure you will appreciate we cannot be flexible with public money when policy has so clearly been stipulated.”

n Anyone who could help with sponsorship or funding for the event can contact Mrs Jamieson on 07860 452279.

Comments

winton50
7:28am Thu 24 Apr 14

How exactly is it “bureaucracy gone mad,”?

The MOD have a set amount of money to commemorate the events during a set two week period. That seems pretty reasonable to me. Hold your event during the period - get money. Hold your event at some other random time - no money.

How exactly is it “bureaucracy gone mad,”?
The MOD have a set amount of money to commemorate the events during a set two week period. That seems pretty reasonable to me. Hold your event during the period - get money. Hold your event at some other random time - no money.winton50

How exactly is it “bureaucracy gone mad,”?

The MOD have a set amount of money to commemorate the events during a set two week period. That seems pretty reasonable to me. Hold your event during the period - get money. Hold your event at some other random time - no money.

Score: 52

jumptoit
7:46am Thu 24 Apr 14

Sorry, but the fault lies with the "organisers" of the event not being able to understand the rules regarding dates allowed. Perhaps next year different organisers might be used?

Sorry, but the fault lies with the "organisers" of the event not being able to understand the rules regarding dates allowed. Perhaps next year different organisers might be used?jumptoit

Sorry, but the fault lies with the "organisers" of the event not being able to understand the rules regarding dates allowed. Perhaps next year different organisers might be used?

Score: 42

Old Colonial
9:10am Thu 24 Apr 14

There's a wise old saying, "Always read the instructions." I'm sure when the Parish Council are handing out grants they are not so cavalier with the recipients' interpretation of the Rules.

There's a wise old saying, "Always read the instructions." I'm sure when the Parish Council are handing out grants they are not so cavalier with the recipients' interpretation of the Rules.Old Colonial

There's a wise old saying, "Always read the instructions." I'm sure when the Parish Council are handing out grants they are not so cavalier with the recipients' interpretation of the Rules.

Score: 31

Marty Caine UKIP
9:31am Thu 24 Apr 14

It's not bureaucracy thats gone mad it is the parish council, just have your event on the 22nd or the 29th of June and then you qualify for the funding.

It's not bureaucracy thats gone mad it is the parish council, just have your event on the 22nd or the 29th of June and then you qualify for the funding.Marty Caine UKIP

It's not bureaucracy thats gone mad it is the parish council, just have your event on the 22nd or the 29th of June and then you qualify for the funding.

Score: 25

delta3
9:39am Thu 24 Apr 14

Not the MOD at fault..........I think the fact they give a two week window to hold your event is good enough. Typical parish council from that part of the world expecting others to bend to your will. Bad drills I say, maybe some younger blood on the parish council might move things along more effectively. Only saying!

Not the MOD at fault..........I think the fact they give a two week window to hold your event is good enough. Typical parish council from that part of the world expecting others to bend to your will. Bad drills I say, maybe some younger blood on the parish council might move things along more effectively. Only saying!delta3

Not the MOD at fault..........I think the fact they give a two week window to hold your event is good enough. Typical parish council from that part of the world expecting others to bend to your will. Bad drills I say, maybe some younger blood on the parish council might move things along more effectively. Only saying!

Score: 25

Morrigan
9:54am Thu 24 Apr 14

How can they complain it is the MOD at fault? Since they are choosing to hold the event on Father's day, I rather get the impression it is just a run-of-the-mill family fun day, rather than anything to do with the armed forces - but they seem to want more money to help pay for it, so are claiming it is a celebration of the military purely to get their sticky little hooks on some cash ......

As others have said, bet the parish council don;t hand out money willy-nilly, so why expect other organisations to do so, just because it suits their own agenda? :o/

How can they complain it is the MOD at fault? Since they are choosing to hold the event on Father's day, I rather get the impression it is just a run-of-the-mill family fun day, rather than anything to do with the armed forces - but they seem to want more money to help pay for it, so are claiming it is a celebration of the military purely to get their sticky little hooks on some cash ......
As others have said, bet the parish council don;t hand out money willy-nilly, so why expect other organisations to do so, just because it suits their own agenda? :o/Morrigan

How can they complain it is the MOD at fault? Since they are choosing to hold the event on Father's day, I rather get the impression it is just a run-of-the-mill family fun day, rather than anything to do with the armed forces - but they seem to want more money to help pay for it, so are claiming it is a celebration of the military purely to get their sticky little hooks on some cash ......

As others have said, bet the parish council don;t hand out money willy-nilly, so why expect other organisations to do so, just because it suits their own agenda? :o/

Score: 25

dvdr
10:14am Thu 24 Apr 14

So they want the money, but do not want to follow the rules? And because the money is not now forthcoming, it is someone else's fault?

What world do these people live in?

So they want the money, but do not want to follow the rules? And because the money is not now forthcoming, it is someone else's fault?
What world do these people live in?dvdr

So they want the money, but do not want to follow the rules? And because the money is not now forthcoming, it is someone else's fault?

What world do these people live in?

Score: 24

strippervicar
10:17am Thu 24 Apr 14

delta3 wrote…

Not the MOD at fault..........I think the fact they give a two week window to hold your event is good enough. Typical parish council from that part of the world expecting others to bend to your will. Bad drills I say, maybe some younger blood on the parish council might move things along more effectively. Only saying!

"That part of the World" which means?

[quote][p][bold]delta3[/bold] wrote:
Not the MOD at fault..........I think the fact they give a two week window to hold your event is good enough. Typical parish council from that part of the world expecting others to bend to your will. Bad drills I say, maybe some younger blood on the parish council might move things along more effectively. Only saying![/p][/quote]"That part of the World" which means?strippervicar

delta3 wrote…

Not the MOD at fault..........I think the fact they give a two week window to hold your event is good enough. Typical parish council from that part of the world expecting others to bend to your will. Bad drills I say, maybe some younger blood on the parish council might move things along more effectively. Only saying!

"That part of the World" which means?

Score: 4

speedy231278
11:02am Thu 24 Apr 14

Yet another non-story where someone deliberately ignores conditions of something and hopes that whining to the local rag will help them get away with it. If the council is so keep to raise money for the armed forces, why are they asking for a subsidy from the MoD anyway?

Yet another non-story where someone deliberately ignores conditions of something and hopes that whining to the local rag will help them get away with it. If the council is so keep to raise money for the armed forces, why are they asking for a subsidy from the MoD anyway?speedy231278

Yet another non-story where someone deliberately ignores conditions of something and hopes that whining to the local rag will help them get away with it. If the council is so keep to raise money for the armed forces, why are they asking for a subsidy from the MoD anyway?

Score: 18

speedy231278
11:07am Thu 24 Apr 14

Also - they're asking for £4900 to fund an event that is expected to have 1000 people turn up. Given that a very significant proportion of the people who turn up to the air show don't give anything to any of the charities who have paid their enormous fee to the organisers, do they really expect to get a fiver from each visitor that would cover the alleged cost? I support several charities raising money for the armed forces, and I'm sure none of them get subsidies from the MoD, and bear their own costs. Would it be so hard for these people to donate their time to the cause rather than charge for it?

Also - they're asking for £4900 to fund an event that is expected to have 1000 people turn up. Given that a very significant proportion of the people who turn up to the air show don't give anything to any of the charities who have paid their enormous fee to the organisers, do they really expect to get a fiver from each visitor that would cover the alleged cost? I support several charities raising money for the armed forces, and I'm sure none of them get subsidies from the MoD, and bear their own costs. Would it be so hard for these people to donate their time to the cause rather than charge for it?speedy231278

Also - they're asking for £4900 to fund an event that is expected to have 1000 people turn up. Given that a very significant proportion of the people who turn up to the air show don't give anything to any of the charities who have paid their enormous fee to the organisers, do they really expect to get a fiver from each visitor that would cover the alleged cost? I support several charities raising money for the armed forces, and I'm sure none of them get subsidies from the MoD, and bear their own costs. Would it be so hard for these people to donate their time to the cause rather than charge for it?

Score: 16

arti273
12:13pm Thu 24 Apr 14

It's amazing how easy it is to spend £4,900 when you're spending someone else's money.....

It's amazing how easy it is to spend £4,900 when you're spending someone else's money.....arti273

It's amazing how easy it is to spend £4,900 when you're spending someone else's money.....

Score: 17

joeinpoole
12:31pm Thu 24 Apr 14

Why would holding 'Armed Forces Day' on Fathers' Day be "apt", as the organisers claim?

When I was in the forces there were lots of women who served and also many chaps who were not fathers.

Why would holding 'Armed Forces Day' on Fathers' Day be "apt", as the organisers claim?
When I was in the forces there were lots of women who served and also many chaps who were not fathers.joeinpoole

Why would holding 'Armed Forces Day' on Fathers' Day be "apt", as the organisers claim?

When I was in the forces there were lots of women who served and also many chaps who were not fathers.

Score: 22

Bob49
1:18pm Thu 24 Apr 14

popular ?

I'm not too sure if 1,000 is much of a percentage of the population of Burton - seems like a 'jolly' at other folk's expense under the guise of some 'worthy cause'

personally I would rather the £4,900 went directly to some deserving ex serviceman/woman than

ps where is the photo of the councillor looking angry with arms folded ?

popular ?
I'm not too sure if 1,000 is much of a percentage of the population of Burton - seems like a 'jolly' at other folk's expense under the guise of some 'worthy cause'
personally I would rather the £4,900 went directly to some deserving ex serviceman/woman than
ps where is the photo of the councillor looking angry with arms folded ?Bob49

popular ?

I'm not too sure if 1,000 is much of a percentage of the population of Burton - seems like a 'jolly' at other folk's expense under the guise of some 'worthy cause'

personally I would rather the £4,900 went directly to some deserving ex serviceman/woman than

ps where is the photo of the councillor looking angry with arms folded ?

Score: 14

speedy231278
1:43pm Thu 24 Apr 14

arti273 wrote…

It's amazing how easy it is to spend £4,900 when you're spending someone else's money.....

Ipsoregulated

This website and associated newspapers adhere to the Independent Press Standards Organisation's Editors' Code of Practice. If you have a complaint about the editorial content which relates to inaccuracy or intrusion, then please contact the editor here. If you are dissatisfied with the response provided you can contact IPSO here